Pulmonary toxicity associated with the use of lenalidomide: Case report of late-onset acute respiratory distress syndrome and literature review

• Published in: Heart & lung Vol. 43; no. 2; pp. 120 - 123
• Main Authors: Mankikian, J, Lioger, B, Diot, E, D'Halluin, P, Lissandre, S, Marchand Adam, S, Mercier, E, Beau Salinas, F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Mosby, Inc 01.03.2014; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: ARDS; Cardiovascular; Critical Care; Drug toxicity; Humans; Immunologic Factors - adverse effects; Lenalidomide; Lung - diagnostic imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Prescription drugs; Primary Myelofibrosis - drug therapy; Pulmonary/Respiratory; Respiratory diseases; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult - chemically induced; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult - diagnostic imaging; Thalidomide - adverse effects; Thalidomide - analogs & derivatives; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Toxicity; Lenalidomide; Drug toxicity; ARDS
• ISSN: 0147-9563; 1527-3288
• DOI: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2013.11.007

Abstract Lenalidomide is an immunomodulating drug structurally similar to thalidomide. It is indicated for patients with relapsing or refractory multiple myeloma in combination with dexamethasone, and for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes associated with a deletion 5q cytogenetic abnormality. It is also used to treat other myelodysplastic syndromes such as myelofibrosis and lymphoma. We report a case of organizing pneumonia leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) after long-term administration of lenalidomide, along with a review of the literature.